Preeclampsia:

the facts about the condition and symptoms all mothers-to-be need to look out for

Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and infant deaths, with nearly 76,000 maternal and 500,000 infant deaths worldwide each year

Preeclampsia doesn’t normally happen until you are at least 20 weeks pregnant. It is very rare to suffer from the condition before this. Most cases occur in the third trimester (from week 27 to the birth of the baby).

The disease affects 5-8 per cent of all pregnancies and causes 15 per cent of premature births. Singer Beyonce revealed she suffered from the condition when expecting her twins Rumi and Sir.

Preeclampsia doubles a woman’s risk of having a stroke or developing heart disease over the following 10-15 years

In the majority of cases, symptoms of preeclampsia are not noticeable. The initial symptoms are high blood pressure (hypertension) and proteinuria (protein in your urine). This is why checking your blood pressure and urine are standard at your regular antenatal appointments.

As preeclampsia develops, it can cause fluid retention (oedema). This can cause sudden swelling of your feet, ankles, face and hands. Oedema is another common symptom of a normal pregnancy, but it tends to be in the lower parts of your body, such as your feet and ankles, and it will

gradually build up during the day. But if the swelling is sudden and particr ularly affects your face and hands, it could be a symptom of preeclampsia.

As the condition progresses, your may also have one or more of the foles lowing symptoms:

Severe headaches

Vision problems, such as blurring or seeing flashing lights before your eyes

Pain in your upper abdomen (just below your ribs)

Vomiting Excessive weight gain due to fluid retention

Feeling generally unwell. Seek immediate medical advice if any of these symptoms develop. Without immediate treatment, your condition may deteriorate or you may develop complications.

The main sign of preeclampsia in your unborn baby is slower growth compared to a baby that is developing normally. This is caused by the poor blood supply through the placenta to your baby. Your baby may receive less oxygen and nutrients than they should, which can affect their growth. This is called intrauterine growth restriction.

If a woman has a good support system in her home, she can manage mild preeclampsia with bed rest and frequent visits to her hospital. She may also need to monitor her blood pressure at home on a regular basis. Serious cases of preeclampsia may require admission to the hospital for more intensive monitoring of both the mother and unborn baby.

If it is not diagnosed, pre-eclampsia can cause a number of serious complications, including:eclampsia (convulsions) and HELLP syndrome, a combined liver and blood clotting disorder. See hse.ie for help and advice.